Stenciling machine



Jan. 13, 1931.

L. A. THATQHER STENGILING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 13, 1931. L. A. THATCHER 1,788,782

STENCILING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 13, 1931. 1.. A. THATCHER STENCILING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zmw Jm Affar/iz Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LINDEN A. THATCHER, OF BELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD EL- LIOTT FISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE STENOILING MACHINE Application filed January 22, 1929. Serial No. 834,157.

The present invention relates generally to rotary duplicating machines of the class I where a perforated cylinder carries an inked stencil-sheet arranged for rolling contact with a work-sheet fed to stenciling position as determined by the cylinder and a platenroller, and more articularly to such machines having auxiliary work-sheet feeding means.

In duplicating machines having a rotary stencil-carrying cylinder and auxiliary feeding means, devices were usually provided for stopping the rotating cylinder after each work-sheet was stenciled to secure proper timing ofthe next work-sheet relative to the stencil-sheet. Obviously, stopping the cylinder for each work-sheet consumed time and correspondingly reduced the output of the machine.

greatly increase the output of such rotary duplicating machines. To carry out this feature, there is provided an organization of 7 devices including a continuously rotatable cylinder; an intermittently-operating auxiliary work-sheet feeding mechanism; means for timin a feeding-in work-sheet to have it reach t e stenciling position before, and in a predetermined relation to, the stencilsheet; a displaceably mounted platen-roller;

, and a platen-roller throw-off means automatically operable upon failure of the auxiliary feeding mechanism to properly feed any work-sheet toward stenciling osition.

In some prior duplicating mac mes having an auxiliary feeding mechanism, means were provided for preventing the stencllsheet smudging the platen-roller when a work-sheet was improperly fed toward mechanism, and included quick-acting devices for stopping the rotating cylinder. This sudden stopping of the cylinder caused impact strains on parts of the machine.

These strains and similar strains caused by stopping the cylinder after each work-sheet was stenciled, were not seriously objectionable on properly designed parts made of a I relatively strong heavy metal, like steel or lron.

It is a feature of the present invention to stenciling position by the auxiliary feeding a work-sheet is not properly fed to stenciling position, without causing any appreciable shock to the stencil-cylinder and other parts. To carry out this feature, an organization of devices is provided which includes mechanism for swingably mounting the platen-roller below the stencil-cylinder; mechanism for locking the cylinder in operative position against the lower side of the stencil-cylinder; mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism; and instrumentalities for operating the releasing mechanism upon displacement of the work-sheet from an initial position in which it is placed by the operative preparatory to being fed to stenciling position by the auxiliary feeding mechanism.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a counting mechanism having an operative connection with the stencil-cylinder for counting the worksheets, one by one, as they are stenciled, and means for disabling the counting mechanism when the cylinder rotates Without stenciling a work-sheet. In carrying out this feature of the invention, the disabling devices are arranged to be controlled by instrumentalities for checking or proving the initial position of the work-sheet, and are made effective when a work-sheet is not properly inserted to its initial position.

In carrying out other features of the present invention, it is proposed that the power for releasing theplaten-roller locking mechanism be obtained from the rotating stencil-cylinder; that power for releasing the platen-roller locking mechanism be obtained causing ap reciable strain thereon; that the auxiliary eeding means include a set of lower rollers geared to the continuouslyrotating platen-roller, a set of co-operating upper swingably-mounted rollers and devices operatively connected to said stencilcylinder for intermittently moving the upper rollers into enga ment with the lower rollers; that the lea ing-edge gages for a work-sheet be ositively moved down by unyielding mem ers out of the path of the feeding-in work-sheet; that a light yielding force shall return saidgages, to effective positions, whereby, should they engage against the lower face of a work-sheet as it' is feeding in, they will not ap reciably hinder the feeding movement of t e work- 'sheet; that means are provided for adjusting the connection between the upper rollers and the stencil-cylinder for controllin the beginning of operation of the auxi iary feeding mechanism; that means for checking the initial position of a work-sheet include feeler-pins engaging lightly and squarely against the lower face of a worksheet; that the feeler-pins be arranged to function solely as feeler-pins, and only as.

such durin the short period while the leading edge 0 the stencil-sheet is approaching closely to the stenciling position, and thereafter will be ositively held out of the path of the next ollowing work-sheet being inserted against the leading-edge gages; that the weight of the platen-roller and its swinging frame is made effective to help apply abraking force to the stencil-cylinder upon unlocking said platen-roller; and that a spring is arranged for co-operation with the platen-roller swing-frame to help ap ly the braking force to the stencil-cylinder,

the stencil-sheet more quicklythan would happen if it fell away by gravityalone.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a fra mentary perspective view of an Underwoo duplicating machine having my invention applied thereto. This view shows a work-sheet initially positioned,

against stop-fingers of a leading-end gage ready to be fed to the stencil-cylinder by the auxiliary feeding mechanism.

Figure 2 is a .dia rammatic elevational' premeans the stencil-cylinder and the lower platenroller. Y

Figure 4' is an operational view similar to Figure 3, which illustrates an operative connection between the stencil-cylinder and the auxiliary feeding mechanism.-

Figure 5 is a fragmentary operational View, illustrating the mechanism employed latch, which permits the lower platen-roller to be moved down away from the stencil-- cylinder when a work-sheet is displaced for kicking oflf the platen-roller swing-frame while being inserted to its initial position.

Figure 6 is' an operational view similar to Figure 5, which illustrates the construction and operation of mechanism for disabling a device for counting stenciled worksheets concomitantly withthe, downward displacement of the platen-roller. I I

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side ,elevational View, partly in section, of the structure shown in Figure 1. In this view the lower platen-roller is shown latched in engag 'f'" ment with the stencil-cylinder.

Figure 8.is a detail view, in section, illustrating the construction and operation of an advantageous latch for locking the delivery tray in folded-up position,

Figure 9 is an operational view, showing to effective position a ainst a stop member. A main frame 10 o the machine includes right and left frame-members 11 and 12, re-

spectively, which may be joined together at the base by front and rear cross-bars 13 and 14, respectively. The frame 10 may In this view the stop fingers are shown fully returned and is connected to the swing-frame, so as.

to move the platen-roller out of the path of rest on four rubber feet 15. The main frame will preferably be cast from a light metal, such as aluminum, to make for a conveniently portable machine.

The'up'per extremities of the frame-memhers-11 and,12 are each formed to rovide an open bearing-element 16 for a s aft 17 r of a perforated stencil-cylinder 20. Ca 5 21, forming uppler bearing-elements whici cooperate w t the open bearin s v 16, are hmged about pins 22 to the side ame-members. Provision of the hinged bearing-cap member ,21 permits the cylinder 20 to be readily removed from the main frame 10. To' releasably fasten each cap-member downsecurely, a U-sha ed clevis-member 23 has downwardly-exten ing arms 24, the ends of which arepivotally fastened on each .Qirln of the associated side frame adjacent the upper cndthcreof. An end-member of each clevis 23 is arranged to swing over the free end of the adjacent cap-men1ber 21,. and a thumb-screw 26 engages in a threaded hole in the upper end of the clevis-member and bears down against the top of the capniember, thereby holding the latter and the shaft 17 securely in place. An operating crank-arm 27 may be adjustably fastened to the right end of the shaft 17 by a screw 28, and have a handle 29.

A front work-sheet support or feed-table 30, generally rectangular in shape, may be pivotally mounted between the side frame members 11 and 12 by means of two upturned cars 31 integrally joined to the table, and through these ears pivot-screws 32 pass to be threaded in the side frame members. The side-edge portions of the table may be bent down at right angles and then. inward at right angles a short distance below the top surface of the table to form channel-shaped guides or tracks 33 for a telescopic extensionplate 34, the latter having a down-turned flange at its outer end, and down-turned flanges 36 at its sides for-engaging with a sliding fit in the tracks Suitable wellknown devices (not shown) may be provided to prevent the plate 34 being pulled entirely out of engagement with the table 30.

Means are provided to support the table in an operative position wherein its work-face is disposed in a downwardly-inclined plane which passes slightly below the bottom of the stencil-cylinder. The tablesupporting means include a bracket-arm 37 at each side of the table, the lower end of each arm being pivoted about a screw 38 in the adjacent side frame member. An integral lug 39 bent down from eachadjacent track 33 is positioned to engage a transverse pin 40 in the upper end of each of the arms 37 and hold the table firmly in operative position. The pins 40 bear against the lower sides of the tracks 33. Two tensile-springs 41, each having one end fastened to each arm 37 intermediate its ends and the other end fastened to a screw (not shown) in the adjacent side frame member, are effective to raise the arms when the table is swung to its folded-up position. I

Two lugs 42, formed like the lugs39, may be positioned inwardly. from the latter to engage the pins 40 andarrest' the table 36 in its folded-up position, 'so that it willnot strike and injure the stencil-cylinder, es-

pecially when the latter is encased. A sideedge gage 43, for work-sheets W, may be fastened on the table 30 for lateral adjuste ment by any suitable well-known devices (not shown). i

A tray or bin 44 for receiving work-sheets as they are stenciled is pivotally mounted at tlie'deliveryside of the stencil-cylinder 26 on pivot screws 45 in the side frame members 11 and 12. For releasably latching the tray in its folded-up position a hole 46 (see Figure 8) may be made in a left side wall 47 of the tray, and a locking pin, generally designated as 48, may be yieldingly mounted in the left side frame member 12. The pin 48 may have a cylindrical body 49, the inner end of which is rounded and the outer end of which is reduced and threaded to receive a knurled thun'ib-nut 50. The pin engages loosely in a hole 51 in the side frame mem-, ber 12 and carries a spring 52 disposed with initial tension around the portion of its body 49 which lies between the member 12 and the left side wall 47 of the tray 44. The spring presses against the member 12 and a crosswise collar 53 held fast on the body 49, and normally urges the rounded end of the body across the path of the side wall 47. It will be understood that the hole 46 positioned to come opposite the pin 48 when the tray is swung to its folded-up position shown in dash-and-dot lines in Figure 7. Whenthe rounded end is engaged in the hole 46, the pin may be conveniently withdrawn by pulling outwardly on the nut 50.

For bringing all of a work-sheet W into rolling contact with the stencil-cylinder 20, a pressure-roll 55 sometimes called a platen roll or roller is provided which may include a usual rubber body 56 mounted on a shaft 57, each end of which is journaled in an open bearing arranged in the free end of parallel side members 58 of a swing-frame generally designated as 60.. The rear ends of each member 58 are apertured to engage with a running or work fit around a stiff cross-shaft 61, the ends of which are fastened in the side frame members 11 and 12. Each side member 58 has a downwardly-projecting ear- 62 intermediate its ends, and a cross-rod 63 extends between the ears 62 and has its ends secured therein. I

For holding the frame inposition wherein the platen-roller or pressure-roll 55. will operatively engage against the cylinder 20, a downwardly-extending link 64 has anenlarged, apertured upper end arranged for engaging with a running fit around the rod 63 intermediate. the side members 58. ,The

link 64 also has an enlarged, aperturedlowe r end which engages with a runnin fit around a pin 65 fast in the free rear on of an arm 66 which is fastened on a lateral rock-shaft 67 journaled in the frame-members lland.

12.; The right end of the locking notch from the lever. 68 and the latshaft 67 extends 'beyond the frame-member 11 and has faster will swing from its Figure 1 position to its Figure 5 position, partly by the force of cylinder 20. A finger-piece 73 is provided on the free end of the lever 68 for restoring it to its normal operative position, as shown in Figure l. v

For feeding the leading-end edge of a work-sheet W between the cylinder and the pressure-roll 55, an auxiliary feeding mechanism is provided which includes a plurality of feed-rolls 74 fastened on a shaft 75, the ends of which are journaled in open bearings in the side members 58. The shaft 75 is parallel to and has an operative connection with the shaft 57 through a gear-train which includes a gear 76 fast on the left end of the shaft 75, an idler gear 77, and a gear 78 fast on the left end of the shaft 57. The

- gears 76, 77, and 78 are positioned adjacentthe outer face of the left-hand side-member 58, the idler gear 77 being mounted on an axle-pin 79 fast to the left-hand member 58. In their operative positions, the tops of the feed-rolls 74 project slightly above the workface of the table 30 adjacent its lower end. In this position of the rolls 74 (see Figure 6) the leading-in edge of a work-sheet W can be easily slipped over and ast the rolls by an operative. When the eed-rolls are in their operative positions the pressure-roll 55 operatively engages the stencil-cylinder 20, and is rotated thereby, which causes the feed-rolls 74 to rotate in the same direction i. e., clockwise. 1

To make the revolving feed-rolls 74 eflective for advancing a work-sheet W an upper roller 80 is rotatably mounted above each feed-roll 74 on a swing-shaft 81 which is supported parallel to the shaft 7 5 in the forward ends of two rearwardly-extending,

downwardly-curved arms 82, each of which is fastened on the shaft 61.

Each work-sheet \V will be gaged bydevices, hereinafter described, to an initial or starting position prior to the beginning of the advancement of the work-sheet by the auxiliary feedin mechanism. Novel effective means are provi ed in the present invention for insuring that the rollers 80 will be swung down into engagement with the underlying feed-rolls 74 at the right moment whereb the leading edge of a gaged work-sheet wi 1 be moved up to stenciling position, i. e., into engagement with the stencil-cylinder 20 and pressure-roll 55 in a pre-determined 0r timed relation with respect to the first line of stencil-characters (not shown) on a stencil-sheet 83, which may be held on the stencil-cylinder 20 in a usual way. Mechanism hereinafter described which swings the rollers 80 to their effective positions is controlled by instrumentalities including a cammember, generally designated as 85, which may have a body 86 mounted onthe rim of the right end of the c linder 20 for peripheral adjustment by we l-known means which may includetwo clampin members 87. The cam-member may inc ude a stiff metal strip 88 fastened by screws 89 to the body 86 and having an outwardly inclining cam-element 90 at the right end of the cammember, a dwell ortion 91 and a declining or receding portion 92. For a purpose presently to appear, a short inreaching integral lug 93is provided on the dwell portion 91 adjacent its leading end.

The cam-member 85 is positioned in a predetermined relation to the leading edge of the stencil-sheet 83, so that when the stencilcylinder is revolved counterclockwise the cam-element 90 engages a cam-roller 95 below the cylinder when the leading edge of the stencil-sheet is a certain predetermined distance from the line of contact of the stencil-cylinder 20 and from pressureroll 55. The roller 95 is rotatably mounted on a lateral. stud 96 fastened in an upwardlyextended end portion 97 of a lever 100, which extends from the cam-roller to the front of the machine, and is fulcrumed loosely on a rock-shaft 101. The rock-shaft is journaled in the side frame-members 11 and 12' and is disposed parallel to, and downwardly and rearwardly from, the shaft 61.

An operative connectionbetween the lever 100 and the rollers 80 includes a bell-crank 102 fastened-on the shaft 101 by a hub 103 disposed between the lever and the bellcrank, andserving to space them apart. The

bell-crank 102 has a body-portion 104, extending forwardly from which a short integral arm 105 extends upwardly and an integral arm, 106 extends downwardly and terminates in a rightwardly-bent integral flangemember 107. A downwardly-extending arm 108 (see Figure 4) is integrally joined to the lever 100 a short distance rearwardly from the shaft 101. The lower end portion of the arm 108 turns forwardly toward the arm 106 and terminates in a forwardly-bent flange-member 110. The flanges 107 and 110 are disposed substantially parallel to each other and lie in the same frontto-rear plane, and each has a centrallylocated hole for receiving a connecting bolt 111 which has a head 112 on its front end larger than the hole in the flange 107, and which has its other end threaded for receiving a nut 113 and a lock-nut 114. A compression spring 115' is disposed around the bolt 111 between the flanges 107 and 110, and has an initial compression which can be varied by setting'nuts 113 and 114 at desired distances from the head 112.

.A link 116 has one end loosely fastened to the short arm 105, and the other end loosely fastened to a front extension 117 ofthe right-hand arm 82. The arm 82, being fixed on the cross-shaft 61, is thereby revolved clockwise with the latter when the lever 100 is cammed down by the camelement 90. The left-hand arm 82, being also fixed on the cross-shaft 61, is swung down in unison with the right-hand arm 82, and the rollers on the shaft 81, which are carried by the arms 82, are swung down against the rolls 74:. The several interponents between the cam-roller 95 and the rollers 80 will usually be arranged to move the latter into engagement with the auxiliary feed-rolls 74 just as the roller 95 rides under the leading end of the dwell 91. The adjustable connection between the flanges 107 and 110 permits the timing of the operative engagement of the feed-rolls 74 and the rollers 80 to be varied with respect to the position of the stencil-sheet 83. This connection is also effective for varying the operating pressure between the rollers 80 and the auxiliary feed-rolls 74.

For gaging the leading edge of a worksheet W to a convenient position adja-' cent the stenciling position between the cylinder 20 and the pressure-roll 55 preparatory to advancing the sheet by the auxiliary feed mechanism, provision is made of two upstanding gage-pins 120 which may extend up through suitable openings, not shown, in the table 30. Each pin 120 is integrally joined below the table 30 to a resilient arm 121, which forms a part of a U-shaped bail-member 122 which has upreaching ears 123 perforated for engaging loosely about the shaft 61. The bail-memher 122 is disposed between the arms 82.

For holding the pins inoperative positions (Figures 1 and 9) a rearwardly-extending perforated rock-arm 124: may be adiustably clamped, in a well-known way,

to the shaft 101 under the left-hand arm 121 and be operatively connected 'to the latter by means of a bolt 125 which passes loosely through the perforation in the arm 12st and through a perforation in the lefthand arm 121, which substantially registers with the perforation in the rock-arm 124. The upper end of the bolt may have a head 126 larger than the perforation 1n the left arm 121, and the lower end threaded for receiving three nuts 127, one disposed above and two below the rockarm 124:. A light compression spring 128 is disposed about the bolt 125 between the rockarm 124 and the left arm 121, and has substantially no initial compression when the pins are disposed in inoperative position.

In the normal effective positions of. the gage-pins 120 (Figure 9) the upper ends of the pins may engage agamst a stop-member 130, each of which may conslst of a bentover rear end-portion of an upper wall-- member 131, which is spaced a short distance above the table 30 for forming therewith a work-sheet chute. The wall 131. has a front end-portion 132 bent up to form an entrance by a tensile spring 133 which has one end fastened to a front extension 134: of the lever 100, and the other end to a member, not shown, fastened to the right side frame member 11.

Adjustable means are provided for arresting the rollers 80 in their uppermost position which include a front extension 135 (Figure 1) on the left arm 82, a bell-crank 136 which may be substantially like the bellcrank 102, and a link 137 connectin the bell-crank 136 and extension 135. A ownreaching arm 138 of the bell crank 136 may terminate in an inrea'ching flange 139 arranged to abut against the leading end of an adjustable stop-screw 140 threaded through an inreaching integral lug-member 141 on the side frame member 12.

The gage-pins 120 are automatically withdrawn from the path of a work-sheet in the following manner. When the leading edge of the stencil-sheet 83 approaches theposition in its revolution wherein the abovedescribed devices will cause the auxiliary feeding mechanism to begin to advance a gaged worksheet W, the cam-roller 95 will begin to be depressed by the cam-element 90, and the rock-shaft 101 will begin to rotate clockwise. At the same time, the

rockarm 124 begins to move down and the pin-carrying arms 121 begin to be pulled down by the bolt 125, the arms usually beginning to move a very short period of time after the arm 12 1 has begun moving, for a reason to presently appear. When the du )licating machine is operated fast the ad ustable elements of the gage-pin moving means and the means for moving the rollers 80 are preferably set with relation to each other so that the upper extremities of the pins 120 are swung below the leading edge of the work-sheet a relatively very short period of time before the rollers 80 engage the rolls 7 4 for moving the work-sheet W forward. v

The leading-end edge of the gaged Worksheet W after passing over thegage-pins 120 is deflected upward into the bite of the laten-cylinder 20 and the pressure-roll 55 y a bent-up guide-portion 143 forming the rear extremity of the table 30. While the work-sheet is being drawn ahead into rolling contact with the stencil-sheet 83 by the co-action of the stencil-cylinder 20 and the pressure-roll 55, the dwell 91 of the camthe ins 120 provide a 40 member 85 passes from over the cam-roller 95, and the lever 100 and rock-arm 124 be in to be swung up by the spring 133. ecause of the presence of the s ring 128 around the bolt 125, the motion 0 the rockarm 124-tends to move the pin-carr 'ng arms 121 with it and thereb moves t e pin u against the lower side 0 the work-sheet then being fed forward through the machine (Figure 8). The spring 128, however, is light and very resilient, and in consequence 0 not press upwardly against the ower side of the work-sheet with enou h force to be an appreciable detriment to its feeding movement, even after the cam-member .85 is entirely clear of the roller 95 and the latter has been swung up to its uppermost position.

After the trailing end of a feeding wprksheet has passed over the pins 120, thespring 128 will be able to swing the pins up to their effective positions ready for gaging a fresh work-sheet that maybe positioned against them, the rollers 80 having already been swung up to their ineffective positions.

When the du licating machine in which are embodied the several features of the present invention, is operated at a relatively igh s eed, an operative may occasionally fail to lnsert the leading-end edge of a worksheet against the pins 120 before the auxiliary feeding mechanism begins to operate. In such event the inked face of the stencilsheet would, if not prevented, smudge the pressure-roll which, in turn, would smudge the under side ofvwork-sheets subse uently fed to the machine.

t is a feature of the present invention to ositive safeguard against the smudging o the pressure-roll which is quick acting and operates without subjecting any parts of the machine to a severe strain or shock This means includes a plurality of feeler-pins 150 mounted on alateral crosspiece 151, each end of which is fastened to v the rear end of an arm 152, whichis fastened rigidly on a lateral rock-shaft 153, which" is journaled in depending members 154: fastened to the under side of the table 30 (Figure 3). Each feeler-pin registers with and is normally ositioned just below a usual over-size ho e (not shown) in the table 30. The feeler-pins also register with over-size holes provided in the guide-wall 131. A bell-crank 155 is fastened on the right end of the shaft 153 and has an arm 156 which extends rearwardly adjacent the center of the cylinder20, and another arm 157 which extends downwardly and termi hates in a transversely-bent flange-member 158. The rear edge of the flange-member 158 is pulled against a forward cam-edge.

159 of an upreaching lug 160 on the lever 100 by a tensile spring 161, which has one end fastened-to the arm 156 and the other end to lug 93) to a position opposite the upper or; o I the link is operatively connected to the uption of the trigger 70. The front en per part of the trigger by a looselymounted cross-pin 166, wh1ch extends through an elongated slot 167 in the side frame member 11 and is riveted to the trigger 70. A rearwardly-extending tensionspring 168, which has one end fastened to the link 165, may have its other end fastened to the member 11 of the frame and have initial tension for normally holding the looking trigger 70 in engagement with the-lever 6S and also for helplng it hold the lever 162 inits normally inoperative position (Figure 1), wherein the cam edge 164 is inclined slightly to the front.

When a work-sheet W'is not properly disposed in its initial position against the gage-pin 120, as the cam 90 be 'ns to depress the cam-roller 95, the cam-e ge 159 moves rearwardly andthe spring 161 is effective to rotate the bell-crank 155 and rock-shaft 153 counterclockwise and move the feeler-pins 150 upward, there being no work-sheet above the pins which, if present,'would be effective to resist the concomitant upward movement of the arm 156 on the rock-shaft 153. When the leading end of the dwell 91reaches the roller 95, the trip-fin er 163 will have been moved up into the pat of the lug 93; Upon a short additional rotary movement of the cylinder 20, the lug 93 strikes the finger 163 and releases the locking trigger 70, and, by means of the interponents described above,

the pressure-roll 55 and swing-frame 60 are instantly swung down before the inked stencil-sheet 83 reaches the stenciling position to smud e the ressure-roll. It will be noted that thls auxi 'ary feeding mechanism is disabled simultaneously with the downward displacement of the platen-roller.

The lug 93 upon further counterclockwise movement of t e cylinder 20 swings the trip-. finger 163 rearwardly and simultaneously the lever 100 are rising to their normal positions, the finger 163 and arm 156 will be "cammed down to their normal positions by the cam-edge 159 acting on the flange 158. It can be readily seen that the abovedescribed arrangement permits rotary movement of the-stencil-cylinder to operate, with onl aslight resultant strain, the mechanism which locks the platen-roller in normal effective position.

It is 'a feature of the presentinvention to provide means for applying a braking or retarding force to the rotating stencil-cylinder 20 simultaneously upon disengaging the pressure-roll 55 from the cylinder. To this end a short'upreaching arm 169 is rigidl fastened on the shaft 67 adjacent the le t side-frame member 12, and a link 170 may have one end,loosely fastened to the upper end of the arm 169 and extend rearwardly to have its rear endloosely fastened in any oneof several adjusting holes 171 in. the lower end of a longupreaching arm 172 of a a brake-lever 173 which may be fulcrumed about a screw 174 passing through the upper end of the arm and being threaded in the frame-member 12. The lever 173 includes a short upwardly and rearwardly inclined arm 175. A brake-shoe 176 is pivotally fastened to the upper end of the arm 17 5, and has an upper concaved face 177 normally arranged closely adjacent the curved periphery of the stencil-cylinder 20 near the left end thereof. A stencil-spring 178 having considerable initial tension has one end fastened in one of the holes 171 and the other end to a screw 179,'fastened in'the framemember 12.

It can be readily seen upon inspection of Figures 3 and 5 that when the trigger 70 is operated by the cylinder 20, kicking over the trip-finger 163 to release the lever 68, that the spring 178 becomes effective to urge the brake-shoe against the rotating cylinder, and is also effective to help move the ressure-roll quickly downwardly away rom the stencil-cylinder. The downwardly-moving pressure-roll 55 and swing-frame are arrested by the brake-shoe coming against the cylinder 20, because the lever 173, acting through the link 170, sto s the clockwise rotation of the'shaft 67, w iich in turn arrests v the downward swing of the arm 66 and the link 64 which is fastened to the frame 60.

It is a feature of the present invention to rovide for counting each work-sheet as it is stencilled by a counting device positioned on the machine where it can be conveniently read by the operator. It is a further feature to operatively connect the counting device to the cam-element 90 in a way that the connection can be automatical- 1y disabled when the cylinder rotates with- .out stenciling a work-sheet. The counting device includes a counter or register 180 'moun ted on an upper shelf-member 181 of the side frame member 11 in such a way that register can be convenientthe dupliand at the other end- .to a lower end of an upstanding lever 187 which is pivoted about a lateral pin 188 fast in the upper end of an uprightly-disposed lever 189 which extends downwardly and is pivoted about the inner end of a leftwardly-extendin'g lug 190 which may be integrally joined to the side frame member 11. A down-reaching inte-v gral extension 191 of the lever 189 has its lower end connected bya frontwardly-extending link 192 to a down-reaching arm 193 fast on a shaft 67.

The lever 187 has an upwardly-extending arm 194 in whose upper'end is fastened a lateral pin 195 on which is revolubly mounted a cam-roller 196 positioned for engaging the cam-element 90 fastened on the cylinder 20. The arm 194 is swung counter clockwise about the pin 188 upon engagement of the roller 196 with the cam-element 90. Because of the link 192 being fastened to the lever 189, the latter is held against counterclockwise movement with the cam-roller 196 and the lower end of the lever 187 is swung clockwise and pulls with it the operating arm 185 of the register 180 enough to add one unit to the figure of the register.

It'is a feature of the present invention that the register 180 is not operated by movement of the cam-element 90 past the cam-roller 196 when a work-sheet is not being stencilled at that time. This feature is carried out by having the lever 189 operatively connected to the rock-shaft 67. Then when the above-described mechanism is operated, which releases the latching trigger 70, the rock-shaft 67 swings clockwise and pulls the lever 189 clockwise with it (see Figure 6). This action moves the camroller 95 out of the path of the cam-member 90. This last-mentioned disabling movement of the lever 189 has no effect on the register 180 since the lever 187, being loosely pivoted on the pin 188, swings idly clockwise without moving the operating arm185 of the register 180.

.To guard against ink from stencil-sheet 83 dropping on the rollers 80, a concaveconvex guard 200 may be disposed between the rollers and the stencil-cylinder 20. The

v tencd on a shelf 202 which is supported on a work-sheets to the stenciling machine, cannot see the forward'ends of the work-sheets under the guard 200. Therefore, should the platen-roller and auxiliary feeding mechanism be disabled and the work-sheet previously placed fail to be fed through the machine, the operator will not' know this instantly unless warned in some way, and will likely feed another work-sheet to the machine, which will conflict with the first-fed work-sheet that is not assing through the machine. The action 0? the brake-shoe 176 in retarding the movement of the cylinder 20 will, however, warn the operator not to feed a second sheet until the cylinder has been completely revolved idly, and the platen-roller raised, and the previously-fed nnstencilled work-sheet has been repositioned correctly for advancement by the auxiliary feeding mechanism, or hasbeen removed from the stenciling machine.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be usedwithout others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a stenciling machine, .the combination of a continuously-rotating stencilcylinder, a platen-roller engaging against said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, means for gaging said work-sheet in an initial starting position, auxiliary mechanism for feeding said work-sheet from said initial position to said stenciling position in a predetermined time relation with respect to the stencilsheet on said cylinder, means for proving the accuracy of the initial positioning of said work-sheet, and normally ineffectivemeans connectible to said'cylinder by 'said proving means iipon displacement of said work-sheet from its initial position for effecting a disengagement of said platenroller and said stencil-cylinder, whereby said platen-roller will not be smud 'ed by said stencil-sheet as the latter is rotated past said stenciling position.

2. In a stenciling machine, the combination of a continuously-rotating stencilcarrying cylinder, a platen-roller engaging against said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, means for gaging said work-sheet to an initial position, auxiliary mechanism for feeding said work-sheet from said initial position, to said stenciling position in a predetermined time relation with the stencil-sheet on said cylinder, means for proving the initial positioning of said work-sheet, and normally inoperative means operably connectible to said cylinder by said proving means upon misplacement of said work-sheet from said initial osition for moving said platen-roller out of operative engagement with said stencil-cylinder without stopping the latter.

3. In a stenciling machine having a main frame and arotatable stencil-cylinder, said frame and the heads of said cylinder being made of a light aluminum alloy for securing easier portability of said machine, the combinationof a platen-roller engaging said cylinder to establish a printing line for a work-sheet, means for gaging said worksheet in an initial starting position, auxiliary mechanism for feeding said work-sheet from said initial position to said stenciling position in a predetermined time relation with respect to the stencil-sheet on said cylinder, means for proving the accuracy of the initial positioning of said work-sheet, and normally inefiective means operably connectible to said cylinder by said proving means upon displacement of said work-sheet cylinder to begin operation at a predetcly mined time, of gages for determining an initial starting position for said work-sheet from which position said work-sheet is fed to its said stenciling position, by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, means for moving said gages downwardly out of the path of said work-sheet, said means including an unyielding member effective to move said gages downwardly precisely at a predetermined time relative to the beginning of operation of said auxiliary feeding mechanism, and yielding means for returning said gages to operative positions, said yielding means permitting said returning gages to press lightly against the lower side of a work-sheet without appreciably hindering the feeding movement of said work-sheet.

5. In a stenciling machine having a rotating cylinder and a platen-roller engaging against said cylinder, the combination with an auxiliary work-sheet-feeding mechanism operatively connected to said cylinder for feeding said work-sheet thereto in a time relation with respect to the stencil-sheet on said cylinder, of a leading-edge age for said work-sheet,-unyielding means or moving said gage downwardly out of the path of said work-sheet precisely at a predetermined time relative to the be inning of-ope'r- 'ation of said auxiliary fee mg mechamsm,

and ielding means for returning said gage to ef'ective position.

6. In a stenciling machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder having a swingably mounted normally disengaged platen-roller, of means for lifting and locking the roller into engagement against the lower side of said cylinder'to establish 'a stenciling position for a worksheet, and devices controlled by said worksheet for automatically releasing said rollerlocking means'to permit said roller to disengage itself from said cylinder if the worksheet is not properly adjusted to the cylinder.

7. In a stenciling machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder, a swingably mounted platen-roller and means for locking said swingably mounted platen-roller against the lower side of said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for-a work-sheet, of an auxiliary feeding mechanism for said work-sheet, and devices made effective by inaccurate feeding of said work-sheet toward said stenciling position for automatically releasing said looking means, said devices also being effective to disable said auxiliary feeding mechanism.

8. The structure described in claim 7 characterized by means actuated b said worksheet-controlled devices for app ying a braking force to said cylinder.

9. The structure described in claim 7 characterized by means operable by the weight of the released platen-roller for applying a brakinforce to said cylinder.

. 10. n a stenciling machine, the combination with a continuously-rotating stencilcarrying cylinder and a sWingably mounted platen-roller releasably locked against the lower side of said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, of an auxiliary feeding mechanism for said worksheet, platen-roller-releasing devices made effective by inaccurate positioning of said work-sheet for engagement by said mechanism, and instrumentalities actuated by said cylinder effective for operating said releasing devices prior to the movement of the stencil-sheet to said stenciling position.

11. In a stenciling machine, the combination with a continuously-rotating stencilcarrying cylinder and a swingably mounted platen-roller releasably locked against the lower side of said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, of an auxiliary feeding mechanism for said worksheet, platen-roller releasing devices made effective by said work-sheet when the latter is inaccurately positioned for engagement by said mechanism, and instrumentalities actuated by said cylinder for operating said releasing devices, said instrumentalities being actuated without stopping the rotation of said cylinder.

12. In'a stenciling machine, the combination with a continuously-rotating stencilcarrying cylinder and a swingably mounted platen-roller releasably locked against the lower side of said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, of devices'controlled by said work-sheet and operable for releasing said platen-roller, and instrumentalities actuated by said cylinder for operating said releasing devices, said instrumentalities including lever-members cooperating with said cylinder in amanner to operate said releasing devices without causing appreciable strain on said rotating cylinder.

13. In a stenciling machine, the combination with a continuously-rotating stencilcarrying cylinder and a swingably mounted platen-roller releasably locked against the lower side of said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, of devices controlled by said work-sheet and operable for releasing said platen-roller, and instrumentalities actuated by said cylinder for operating said releasing devices, said instrumentalities including a member on said cylinder and a trip-finger mechanism operatively engaged by said member and operatively connected to said releasing devices.

14. The combination with a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder and a releasable platen normally held in rolling engagement with the cylinder to stencil upon work-sheets fed thereto, of automatic means maintained in silenced condition by the control of the worksheets, but automatically operating upon the failure of any work-sheet to reach its intended position, said automatic means including an interponent which is set up upon such failure of the sheet, and means upon the cylinder to engage said set-up interponent and thereby release the platen from the cylinder,

. to prevent stenciling of the sheet.

15. A sheet stenciling machine including a I rotatable stencil-cylinder, a releasable platen for pressing the sheet against the cylinder to stencil thereon, a manually-operable latch to maintain said platen against the cylinder, an interponent normally held in ineifective position by means of a work-sheet, and automatically moved to effective position upon failure of the sheet to reach its intended position, and

-means upon the cylinder to co-operate with ment of said cylinder for counting a worksheet being stencilled in said machine, automatic means operable for preventing the operation of said counting mechanism 'by said rotary movement of sa1d cylinder when the work-sheet is not stencilled thereby, and means effective for operatin said preventing means upon failure of the operative of the stenciling machine to properly feed a work-sheet to said cylinder.

17. In a stenciling machine, the comblnation of a stencil-bearing cylinder to which work-sheets may be fed to be stencilled, auxiliary mechanism for feeding said worksheets, one by one, to said cylinder, mechanism operable by a rOtary moVement of said cylinder for counting sa1d worksheets one by one as they are stencilled by sa1d machine, normally ineffective means for preventing the operation of said countingmechanism by said rotary movement of said cylinder, said means eing automatlcally set for operation by said cylinder upon failure of a Work-sheet to be advanced to said cylinder in proper time relation thereto by sa1d feedin mechanism.

18. n a stenciling machine, the combination of a stencil-cylinder carrylng an inked stencil-sheet, a displaceably mounted platenroller disposed against said cylinder for establishing a stenciling position for a worksheet, a leading-edge gage for sa1d worksheet, means for removing sa1d gage from the path of said work-sheetpreparatory to advancing it toward said cyhnder, aux1l1ary mechanism arranged to begin operating at a predetermined time relatively to the a proach of said stencil-sheet to said stenc1ling position for feeding .to sa1d cylinder a work-sheet previously positioned by sa1d gage, means operable to prove the 'pos1t on of said gaged work-sheet, sa1d proving means being effective to operate simultaneously with the beginning of the operation of said feeding means, and mechanism controlled by said means for moving said platen-roller away from said cylinder to prevent said platen-roller being smudged by said stencil-sheet when the latter moves up to said stenciling position unengaged by a work-sheet.

19. In a stenciling machine, the combination with a stencil-cylinder carrying an inked stencil-sheet, a platen-roller disposed against said cylinder to establish a stenciling osition for a work-sheet, and auxiliary feeding means operatively connected to said cylinder for advancing said work-sheet from an initial position to an engagement between said cylinder and said platen-roller, of gaging means determining said initial position, whereby said work-sheet may be fed to said stenciling position in a predetermined time relation to said inked stencil-sheet, means for proving the positioning of said worksheet by said gages, and mechanism controlled by said proving means for moving said roller away from said cylinder upon misplacement of a Work-sheet in its initial position.

20. In a stenciling machine, the combina-' tion with a stencil-cylinder carrying an inked stencil-sheet, a platen-roller disposed against said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, and auxiliary feed means operatively connected to said cylinder for advancing said work-sheet from an initial position to engagement with said cylinder and said platen-roller, of gaging means determining said -initial position, whereby said work sheet may be fed to said stenciling position in a predetermined time relation to said inked stencil-sheet, means for proving the positioning of said work sheets against said gages, said proving means being adjustable for operating simultaneously with or before the beginning of the auxiliary work-sheet-feeding operation, and

means controlled by said proving means for moving said platen-roller away from said cylinder upon misplacement of a work-sheet from its initial position.

21,. In a stenciling machine having devices for stenciling a work-sheet and auxiliary feeding means for feedin said work-sheet to said stenciling devices, t e combination of means for timing each of said worksheets to have it fed to said stenciling devices in a predetermined relation, shift means for disabling said stenciling devices when a work-sheet is fed to the same out of said predetermined relation, means 0 erably connected to said stenciling devices or counting work-sheets as they are stencilled, and an operative connection between said disabling means and said counting means effective to disable said counting means when stenciling devices are disabled.

22. In a stenciling machine, the combination of a rotating stencil-cylinder, an auxiliary mechanism for feeding a work-sheet in stenciling relation to said cylinder, pins for gaging the leading edge of said work-sheet to an initial position wherein it may be engaged by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, instrumentalities for temporarily removing said pins from the path of said Work-sheet, preparatory to advancing said work-sheet by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, and devices for restoring said pins partially to effective gaging positions while said worksheet is feeding over said pins to said cylinder, said devices effective to make said partially restored gage-pins ineffective to arrest the feeding of said work-sheet thereover.

23. In a stenciling machine, the combination of a rotating stencil-cylinder, an auxiliary mechanism for feeding a work-sheet in stenciling relation to said cylinder, pins for gaging the leading edge of said work-sheet to an initial posit-ion wherein it may be engaged by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, instrumentalities for temporarily removing said pins from the path of said work-sheet, preparatory to advancing said work-sheet by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, and devices for restoring said pins partially to effective gaging positions while said worksheet is feeding over said pins to said cyl inder, said devices effective to make said partially restored gage-pins ineffective to arrest the feeding of said work-sheet thereover, said restoring devices including instrumentalities operable by said cylinder and,a resilient member interposed between said pins and said instrumentalities.

24. In a stenciling machine, the combination of a rotating stencil-cylinder, an auxiliary mechanism for feeding a work-sheet to said stencil-cylinder, pins resiliently held in position for gaging said work-sheet to an initial position preparatory to its movement by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, said pins mounted on a downwardly swingable frame to project across the path of said work-sheet when in their effective positions, and instrumentalities for temporarily removing said pins from the path of said work-sheet including a downwardly swingable member, an operative connection between said member and said cylinder and -a connecting rod between said swingable member and said frame having a one-way connection with the latter effective to 1111 it down when said member is moving ownwardly.

25. In a stenciling machine, the combination of a rotating stencil-cylinder, an auxiliary mechanism for feeding a work-sheet to said stencil-cylinder, pins resiliently held in posit-ion for gaging said work-sheet to an initial position preparatory to its movement by said auxiliary feeding-mechanism, said pins mounted on a downwardly swingable frame to project across the path of said work-sheet when in their efiective positions, and instrumentalities for temporarily removing said pins from the path of said work-sheet including a downwardly swingable member, an operative connection between said member and said cylinder and a connecting rod between said swingable member and said frame having a one-way connection with the latter effective to pull it down when said member is moved downwardly, said pins being held in effective position by a spring, said spring being only stiff enough to raise said frame and said pins to effective position when the latter are free from the work-sheet being fed thereover to the stencil-cylinder.

26. In a stenciling machine, the combination of a rotating stencil-cylinder, an auxiliary mechanism for feeding a work-sheet to said stencil-cylinder, pins resiliently held in position for gaging said work-sheet to sheet from its initial feedin instrumentalities made eifectlve by said deit down when said member is moved down wardly, said pins bein held in effective position by a spring, sai spring being only stiff enough to raise said frame and said' pins to effective position when the latter are free from the work-sheet being fed thereover to the stencil-cylinder, said spring, in ineffective ositions of said pins, being disposed witiiout initial tension around said connecting rod between said pin-carrying frame and said swingable member, 7

27. In a duplicating machine having a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder, a platenroller swingably supported for engaging againstthe bottom of said cylinder to establish a stenciling position for a feedingin work-sheet, mechanism for locking said platen-roller in operative engagement with said cylinder, an auxiliary work-sheet-feeding mechanism, and a leading-edge gage for said feeding-in work-sheet to arrest the same in an initial position preparatory to its advancement by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, the combination of devices for detecting the misplacement of said workposition, and

tecting devices when said work-sheet is displaced from said initial position to release said locking mechanism, whereby said laten-roller may be moved downwardly rom said cylinder out of the path of the stencil and its smudging by the latter prevented.

28. In a duplicating machine having a rotating stenc1lcylinder, a platen-roller swingably mounted for engaging against the bottom of said cylinder for establishing a stenciling position for a feeding-in worksheet, mechanism for locking said platenvroller in operative position against said cylinder, intermittently effective auxiliary feeding mechanism for said worksheet, and a leading-edge gage for. positioning said work-sheet in an initial position preparatory to its engagement by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, the combination of means for operating said auxiliary mechanism after said work-sheet has been initially positioned, devices operated by rotary movement of said cylinder for detecting the misplacement of said work-sheet from its initial 'feeding position, and instrumentalities set by operative movement of said detecting devices to be actuated b further rotary movement of said cylin er for releasing said locking mechanism.

29. The structure described in claim 28 characterized by adjustable means effective to cause said detecting devices to begin their olper'ative movementsimultaneously with or s ightly before said auxiliary feeding mechanism begins operating.

30. The structure described in claim 28 characterized by means making said lockreleasing'instrumentalities operable by the rotating cylinder without appreciably straining the latter.

31. In a stenciling machine having a continuously-rotating stencil-cylinder, a platenroller engaging against the lower side of said cylinder and establishing a stenciling position for a work-sheet and an auxiliary feeding mechanism for said work-sheet, the combination with means for displacing said platen-roller downwardly from said cylin der upon failure of said auxiliary feeding. mechanism to advance a work-sheet in a predetermined time relation with respect to the stencil-sheet on said cylinder, of means for applying a braking force to said rotating cylinder simultaneously with the displacement of said platen-roller from said stencilcylinder.

32. The structure described in claim 31 characterized by a brake-member engaging said cylinder, and an operative connection between said displaceable platen-roller and said brake-member, whereby part of the weight of said platen-roller is made effective to operatively en age said brake-member against said cylin er.

33. A sheet stenciling machine including a rotatable stencil-cylinder, a platen normally operable to press the sheet against the cylinder to stencil thereon, and automatic mechanism under the control of the sheet and projectible into the path of the rotating cylinder upon the failure of any sheet, to eo operate with the cylinder, to disable the platen, to prevent the stenciling of said sheet.

34. In a stenciling machine, the combination of a manually rotated stencil-cylinder, a displaceably mounted platen-roller engaging against said cylinder and establishin a stenciling position for work-sheets, gaglng devices, said work-sheets being manually inserted one by one against said ga ing devices, auxiliary feeding 'means or said work-sheet for feeding said gaged worksheets one by one to said stenciling position, means for disabling said auxiliary feeding means effective upon failure of said feeding means to advance said work-sheet in a predetermined time relation with the stencilsheet on said cylinder, and. means. for instantly warning the operative that said feeding means have been disabled, whereby a second work-sheet will not be inserted while said feeding means are disabled.

35. In a stenciling machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder having a platen and a manual locking means operable to hold the platen in continuous engagement with the cylinder While stenciling correctlyaged work-sheets, of a work-sheet gage, an automatic means etfective during the rotation of the cylinder to the stenciling position, to release the platen and prevent the stenciling of the sheet, unless the work-sheet is properly presented to the gage.

' 36. In a stenciling machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder having a' platen-roller normally latched into rolling engagement with the cylinder to stencil upon work-sheets, of automatic means efi'ective, during a non-stenciling rotation of the cylinder to the stenciling position, to release the platen-roller from its latch and prevent the cylinder from stenciling upon the laten-roller.

, EINDEN A. THATCHER. 

